25 
Bota7iy of the Upper St, Johu. 
magnificent clumps of the Ostrich Fern {Struthiopterls Gerincmica) 
almost tree-like in their luxuriant growth, some fronds being at least 
five feet in height. Here I found a single clump of the somewhat 
rare fern, with us, Aspidium aculeatum, var. Brauni% a few speci- 
mens of which I afterwards noted further down on Glazier’s Lake 
and also at the mouth of the Aroostook. Several plants which have 
been heretofore detected infrequently, or in one or two localities only, 
appeared to be growing in profusion in this rich interval — Polygon- 
atuni hijlorum, first found by Prof. Fowler at Fredericton, and later 
by Mr. Vroom at St. Stephen, is abundant here and further down 
the St. Francis River in the shady nooks of its rich banks. I noticed 
it also at Andover, where it had been detected earlier in the season 
by Mr. W etmore. Here and further down the St. Francis were Trillium 
cernuum, Caulophyllum thalictroideSj Thalictrum dioicum, Viola 
Selkirkii, Anemone Virginiana, Vaccinium caespitosum^ Cypripedium 
acaule (with white flowers only). 
Asarum Canadense (Wild Ginger) described in our last bulletin 
as rather common about Fredericton, its, until then, only known habitat 
in the Province, is abundant on the Upper St. John and St. Francis, 
as it was noticed on rich hillsides and intervals at nearly all stopping 
places. Sanicula Marilandica (Black Snake root) is abundant 
throughout the whole course of the Upper St. John. Sanguinaria 
Canadensis (Blood Root) is also very abundant in rich woods and on 
intervals along the Upper St. John and St. Francis. The last three 
plants are medicinal. Sanguinaria is a stimulant when taken in 
small doses, in large doses it acts as an emetic, while an overdose 
causes faintness, dimness of vision, great prostration, and even death. 
The American Journal of Science records an instance of the death 
of four persons some years ago, in Bellevue Hospital from mistaking 
a tincture of Sanguinaria for ardent spirits. Asarum. Canadense is 
said to be used in some places as a substitute for Ginger ; it has 
stimulating properties, and is said to be an efi[ective remedy for 
dropsy. Sanicula Marilandica is spoken of in the United States 
Dispensatory, to which I am indebted for these facts, as a domestic 
remedy for intermittent fevers and St. Yitus’ Dance. 
Our guide, Antoine Gagnois, a squatter on the banks of Glazier’s 
Lake, appeared to be a walking pharmacopoeia and became very elo- 
quent in speaking of the virtues of these and other herbs to be 
